Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:50 am  

Was a good run out for the players in tricky conditions against a capable championship side, was impressed with Doncaster, wouldn't be shocked to see them in the play offs come the end of the season.

As for Hull, there was some good signs and some lingering concerns. Morgan Smith was an unexpected stand out for me, thought he made a really good first account for himself. Pele's game time was also good to see, he certainly looks like he could start rather then coming off the bench, both would be good options to have. A bit rusty in attack at times, however in the first friendly it is to be expected. However when things stuck/click it was pretty entertaining stuff.

The one negative that I cant help but have concerns over was discipline. It really has been our Achilles Heel now for some time and even against championship opposition it killed us in parts. I'm hoping that a run out with the new rules in play gives the players a greater feel of how much tolerance they now have.

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:09 pm  

I’m not sure yesterday gave me too much clarity on how we’ll line up against Wigan (& then rovers). I reckon for next game, he’ll cut the squad down but still play 20 players (21 if tag plays). I’m guessing something like that:

1. Walker
2. McIntosh
3. Carlos
4. Sutcliffe
5. Tindall
6. Brown
7. Hoy
8. Ese’ese
9. Houghton
10. Ashworth
11. Okunbor
12. Sao
13. Fash
14. Smith
15. Pele
16. Brown
17. Scott
18. Cator
19. Balmforth
20. Staveley
21. Tag

We’re still definitely prop & second row short imo

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:10 pm  

Hullrealist wrote:

I’m not sure yesterday gave me too much clarity on how we’ll line up against Wigan (& then rovers). I reckon for next game, he’ll cut the squad down but still play 20 players (21 if tag plays). I’m guessing something like that:

1. Walker
2. McIntosh
3. Carlos
4. Sutcliffe
5. Tindall
6. Brown
7. Hoy
8. Ese’ese
9. Houghton
10. Ashworth
11. Okunbor
12. Sao
13. Fash
14. Smith
15. Pele
16. Brown
17. Scott
18. Cator
19. Balmforth
20. Staveley
21. Tag

We’re still definitely prop & second row short imo

I think we are okay for props, Sao is really a middle, Ashworth, Brown, Ese, Pele and even Fash when needed , but yes for me the back row is the obvious weakness. A really good running threat like Willie Manu, oh those were the days.

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:12 pm  

I like Severs and feel he could make the step up - same with Staveley

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:46 pm  

https://hullfc.mysportsonline.uk/video/ ... eason/5800 Highlights online now

https://hullfc.mysportsonline.uk/video/ ... eason/5800 Highlights online now

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:26 pm  

GrahamBray wrote:

I think we are okay for props, Sao is really a middle, Ashworth, Brown, Ese, Pele and even Fash when needed , but yes for me the back row is the obvious weakness. A really good running threat like Willie Manu, oh those were the days.

I’m happy with those options if they’re playing at prop but sadly Sao is playing back Row and fash 13.

Gardner appears to be next in line and sadly I don’t think he would be a stand out player in the championship. Smith obviously not confident in Diakate.

I like the look of staveley but smith doesn’t seem sure yet and severs looks like a classy back rower with good footwork, just needs a few more KG’s behind him

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:02 pm  

Hullrealist wrote:

I’m not sure yesterday gave me too much clarity on how we’ll line up against Wigan (& then rovers). I reckon for next game, he’ll cut the squad down but still play 20 players (21 if tag plays). I’m guessing something like that:

1. Walker
2. McIntosh
3. Carlos
4. Sutcliffe
5. Tindall
6. Brown
7. Hoy
8. Ese’ese
9. Houghton
10. Ashworth
11. Okunbor
12. Sao
13. Fash
14. Smith
15. Pele
16. Brown
17. Scott
18. Cator
19. Balmforth
20. Staveley
21. Tag

We’re still definitely prop & second row short imo

If Sao plays front row then i think we are ok but the second row is frighteningly weak.
what bothers me is it looks like we will still have Cator,Fash and Lane in the first 17

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:14 pm  

bonaire wrote:

If Sao plays front row then i think we are ok but the second row is frighteningly weak.
what bothers me is it looks like we will still have Cator,Fash and Lane in the first 17

Can see Cator and Fash getting in the 17 but not lane. With a big pack think we need players like Fash and Cator around the 17. Grafters who will do all the dirty work

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:26 pm  

Fash in the 17 is perfectly fine with me now that we've added some much needed size. He's been having to play like a battering ram the last couple of years despite not having the physique for it. The newer boys can take this role over and Fash will, as he always has, be a workhorse through the middle. Pele likely won't take a carry every set, but you can guarantee Fash will put his hand up to take it in. While Pele and Herman will likely be looking to make yards after contact or slip an offload out, we need Fash to be looking to get to the floor quick and look for a quick play the ball which we can play off the back off. I can see him starting to really improve on his ball handling aswell now and start throwing out passes more.
He'll keep us solid defensively in the middle aswell.
Every team needs a workhorse middle and Fash will do that job well for us in my opinion.

[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:29 pm  

hull2524 wrote:

bonaire wrote:

If Sao plays front row then i think we are ok but the second row is frighteningly weak.
what bothers me is it looks like we will still have Cator,Fash and Lane in the first 17

Can see Cator and Fash getting in the 17 but not lane. With a big pack think we need players like Fash and Cator around the 17. Grafters who will do all the dirty work

I do share a little of the concerns of Bonaire and would hope we don’t see all 3 of Fash, Cator & Lane in the 17. Of the 3 I can only see Fash and likely Cator being regulars in the 17 with a fully fit squad. Guess a lot will depend on where Fash is used. I’d hope we see Balmforth or Smith on the bench at least to spell Houghton so for Cator and Lane to get in they’d have to be on top form. Hopefully Severs & Staveley will be given a genuine opportunity to stake a claim in the SR. Think Scott could well force his way into the 17 too.

Do think we look very weak in the SR especially if Ashworth is in the front row with Sao, Ese Ese & Pele. Though if Brown can step up with an increased size in the pack and Ashworth & Okunbor in the SR then it’ll leave only one of Fash or Cator at 13.

Be interesting to see how it plays out as the season goes along.